“Call her what you like.” Samuel picked up his coat and put it on. “Her mother gave her a name, but the fae don’t use their true names for a reason.” He gave Charles that heartbreaking almost-smile again. “I don’t have to tell you to love her.”

“No,” Charles agreed.

She is ours, said Brother Wolf. Samuel hugged Anna, resting his head on top of hers for a moment, as if drawing strength. Then he hugged Charles, too. Samuel kissed the top of his baby’s head. He rested his face against hers, inhaling audibly. Then he backed away several steps before he turned on his heel and went back out into the storm.

A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S

My gratitude to the following people, who helped put this book together:

My crew at home: Collin Briggs, Linda Campbell, Dave Carson, Katharine Carson, Ann Peters the Trusty Assistant, and Kaye Roberson.

And to the professionals: Anne Sowards (editor), Miranda Hill (assistant editor), Alexis Nixon (publicist), Jessica Plummer (marketer), Judith Murello Lagerman (art director), Michelle Kasper (production editor), Christine Legon (managing editor), Joi Walker (production manager), Tiffany Estreicher (design supervisor / text designer), Kristin del Rosario (interior designer), Dan dos Santos (cover artist), and Christine Masters (copy editor).

As always, any mistakes that remain are mine.

A B O U T T H E A U T H O R

Patricia Briggs graduated from Montana State University with degrees in history and German. She worked for a while as a substitute teacher but now writes full time. Patricia Briggs lives in the Pacific Northwest.

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